Stand against an NRL that accepts violence against women

UPDATE: The NRL has now banned Robert Lui from competing in the league for an entire season. This is an incredibly important step and a powerful precedent that sends a strong message that the league will not accept violence against women and will crack down on those found guilty of perpetrating that.

I more comprehensive response to the League's move will be posted soon, but for now they should be congratulated on this important decision.

----- ORIGINAL PETITION TEXT ----

I'm ashamed at the Rugby League continuing to turn a blind-eye to players beating up women.

Two weeks ago, a player who used to be with the team I love -- the Wests Tigers -- pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend and mother of his six-month old baby. Yet the Rugby League thinks it's appropriate to allow this player back on the field to be a "role model" to my kids within weeks.

It's happening over and over again, but the NRL is still refusing to adequately deal with the issues of violence against women within their clubs. They've tried education programs, and should be congratulated for helping in rehabilitation programs -- but it's clearly not working by itself.

I think that every single player needs to face serious, career-threatening consequences for assaulting a woman. These actions wouldn't be tolerated in other workplaces -- why should they be for League players?

I'm calling on NRL chief David Gallop to implement an automatic, one-season ban for any player found guilty of assaulting a woman. It would send a clear message that the NRL is serious about stopping players hitting women.

I'm a born and bred Tigers supporter of over thirty years. I love the game, and I want my son to grow up a Wests Tigers fan, but I'm ashamed and sick of the weak response from the NRL to players bashing women. It's not the culture and behaviour I expect of players who are held up as role models to kids.

If enough fans, commentators and the community join me in speaking out about this culture, it could force NRL chief David Gallop to finally get serious about implementing policies to deal with violence against women.

Please sign my petition to NRL chief David Gallop and demand that they implement a policy to ban players for one year if they are guilty of domestic violence.

Letter to

North Queensland Cowboys CEOPeter Jourdain

National Rugby League Chief ExecutiveDavid Gallop

West Tigers CEOStephen Humphreys

and 1 other

NRL Director of Media and CommunicationsJohn Brady

It was a horrifying, and violent assault. While their six-month-old baby slept in the next room, NRL player Robert Lui dragged his girlfriend Taleah to a mattress by her hair, then headbutted and kicked her repeatedly.

Robert Lui's brutal assault on his girlfriend marks the second time this year that the NRL has failed to take serious action against players guilty of assaulting women.

As a League fan, I can't believe that the NRL can allow this kind of culture to continue. It seems that unless players receive serious, career-threatening consequences for their actions, the NRL's rehabilitation and education programs are meaningless.

I love the game, but I'm ashamed at the weak response of the NRL to players bashing women.

It's time for the NRL to take a real interest in inspiring kids involved in grassroots footy to develop positive and respectful attitudes to women as well as a passion for the sport.

I am calling upon you as the National Rugby League CEO to implement a one season ban on players convicted of assaulting women.

Under this policy every player who is convicted of violence against women would be stood down for a year. It would send a signal to players that there are serious consequences for assaulting women.

No excuses. No exceptions. Every player will face a season ban if they are convicted of hitting a woman. Please make meaningful steps to end the culture of violence against women in the League.